On Sunday, June 7, 2026, at 1:00PM the Leavenworth Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution hosted a commemorative ceremony honoring Revolutionary War veteran Private George Lemley and his descendant, Robert John Arter, by installing a memorial marker at Compatriot Arter's grave site in Lansing, Kansas. Father Jerome Hinson (Chaplain, Captain USN, Retired) of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, provided the invocation.
The Kansas State SAR Color Guard, dressed in period uniforms, added dignity to the event. The public, and members of the Sons of the American Revolution, were in attendance as well as special guest, Kansas State Legislator Dave Buehler.
The mausoleum niche was marked with a distinctive bronze marker which depicts a Continental soldier with his musket, ready to defend his country. The marker has the year 1775 is inscribed at the base - the year the “shot heard round the world” was fired at Lexington Green, Massachusetts.
Private George Lemley was born in 1742 and died on June 11, 1813 in Dunkard Creek, Pennsylvania. One source says that he served with the Morgan Band of Indian Rangers. This unit wore Indian disguises and used hit-and-run maneuvers against the British in New York and New Jersey throughout 1777.
Robert John Arter was born September 10, 1953 at Camp Rucker, Alabama to Robert and Lois C. Arter. He died June 7, 2018 – 8 years ago this day. He was part of a distinguished Army family, living in various locations in the United States and Copenhagen, Denmark. Living life by his own standards, his own rules, he left his mark on this world through all who encountered him.
Kansas State SAR President Tim Peterman presented the biography of Private George Lemley and Leavenworth Chapter President Rob Lofthouse presented the biography of Private Lemley’s descendant, Robert John Arter. Dr. Glen Welch coordinated the program, which was attended by Henry Leavenworth Chapter President, Rob Lofthouse, Kansas State Society of SAR President, Timothy Peterman, members of the Kansas State Society Color Guard, family and friends.
If you are interested in researching your family history and joining the Sons of the American Revolution or the Daughters of the American Revolution, please contact Rob Lofthouse at (610) 392-7084 or email rlofthouse@ksssar.org for information.